23 Best Food Storage Containers in 2021: Glass and Plastic Containers from Oxo, Pyrex, Rubbermaid

Apr 13, 2024

By Malia Griggs and Marygrace Taylor

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you’re looking to meal-prep, save leftovers, or simply organize your kitchen, trade in your old plastic pieces for the best food-storage containers out there. Styrofoam and chintzy plastic containers that come with your takeout orders are no substitutes for sturdy, stylish, and long-lasting food-storage containers. Despite the wealth of food storage and meal-prep containers on the market, not all are created equal. Some have lids that are prone to leaking or cracking with heat, while others eat up more real estate in your cupboard than you can afford. If it's time to upgrade to food storage containers that won't stain, smell up your fridge, or break down over time, we've got you covered.

Not only do top-rated food-storage containers help your meal-prep and baking needs, but having the right containers (such as transparent containers) makes it easy to keep tabs on your fridge inventory to minimize food waste. Food storage containers also come in a variety of useful sizes and shapes (rectangular, square, and round), and designs (glass or plastic) with functional features. You'll find airtight, leakproof lids or an easy stackable design for condensed storage. There are glass and plastic food storage containers, most of which are dishwasher-safe and freezer-safe. Borosilicate glass, however, is additionally often oven-safe and microwave-safe as well, and cuts back on your plastic usage.

To help you wade through the flood of food storage-containers, we've zeroed in on the best sellers at Amazon, Target, Williams Sonoma, and more. Below, you'll find the best glass food-storage containers and plastic food-storage containers from popular brands such as Oxo Good Grips, Rubbermaid Brilliance, Pyrex, and Joseph Joseph. These containers are all backed by scores of opinionated reviewers for quality, functionality, and versatility. And if you're looking for BPA-free plastic food-storage containers, we sourced containers without any questionable chemicals (such as bisphenol A, BPA, or phthalates) that can interfere with your hormones and harm the environment.

FineDine Superior Glass Food-Storage Container Set (Set of 12)

Amazon

With more than 29,000 4.5-star reviews on Amazon to its credit, this FineDine 12 glass food storage container set (which also comes in 24 pieces) really lives up to its name. The locking lids include an airtight rubber gasket that keeps food from leaking and stops air from creeping in so your food stays fresher longer. Plus, the glass is oven-safe, microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and freezer-safe, and there are a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from.

Amazon Basics Glass Locking Lids Food-Storage Containers (Set of 10)

Amazon

Here’s a set of 10 glass containers (that includes 10 borosilicate glass containers of various sizes and 10 BPA-free plastic lids) from Amazon’s in-house brand Amazon Basics that has most of the same benefits as the FineDine set—and more than 17,000 rave reviews. One key difference? Amazon notes that its glass bases are oven-safe at temps up to 752°F, which is hotter than even most ovens go.

Pyrex Simply Store Meal-Prep Glass Food-Storage Containers (Set of Nine)

Amazon

Pyrex is a glassware staple (and the brand makes every conceivable size, from casserole-size dishes for the oven to small, stackable options for popping leftovers in the fridge or freezer). They’re nearly as versatile as other options on this list, except the lids snap on instead of lock, and they don’t contain a gasket for sealing in moisture. With more than 10,000 glowing reviews, we don’t think that’s a deal breaker for most, and as a bonus, you can also buy replacement lids from Pyrex anytime your old ones wear out.

C Crest Glass Food-Storage Containers With Lids (Set of 10)

Amazon

If you’re someone who likes to meal-prep for the entire week, this set of 10 top-selling large- and medium-size rectangular glass vessels (available in a variety of colors) is a solid choice. The glass is oven-safe up to 700°F and easily stackable to save space in the fridge. Also, seeing all those matching leakproof lids will make you feel really organized.

Bayco Glass Food-Storage Containers With Lids 24-Pack (White)

Amazon

This 12-piece set with its snap-lock system is excellent for any family or business that has a variety of food-storage needs. With four sizes to choose from and three types (rectangular, square, and round), there are plenty of options for your leftovers. These dishwasher-safe, leakproof containers will help conserve space in your cabinets too, since the bases are easily stackable, and the removable silicone gaskets help with cleaning any grime that builds up over time.

S Salient Glass Food-Storage Containers With Lids (Set of Nine)

Amazon

The design of this food container set is similar to the Bayco one, down to the nesting shapes and removable silicone gaskets. It comes with nine containers, which might be plenty for you if you live alone or have limited cabinet space. You might want to hand-wash these lids, however, as exposure to extreme temperatures over time can mess with their silicone strips.

Bayco Glass Meal-Prep Containers 9-Pack (Blue)

Amazon

If you’re after glass bento-style boxes, which have dividers to separate your food, this is the set for you. The set includes a variety of containers with one, two, and three compartments, so they’ll work well for packing all kinds of different meals without ingredients spilling together, creating a soggy mess. Plus, the leakproof, snap-lock lids ensure your bag stays dry if you slide in a box to go.

Pyrex Ultimate Glass Storage (Set of Five)

Williams Sonoma

For a clean, minimal look, Pyrex makes these popular containers, which are made of strong, scratch-resistant glass. The containers come with leakproof, transparent glass lids with airtight silicone rims (unlike some glass containers, which are paired with plastic lids). The food-storage container set of five comes with different sizes ranging from 16 ounces to 56 ounces and is BPA-free, microwave-safe, oven-safe, freezer-safe, and dishwasher-safe too. Williams Sonoma shoppers say they love how high-quality its Pyrex pieces are and that you can both bake and store food in the same container.

Oxo Good Grips Smart Seal Leakproof Glass Storage Containers (Set of Eight)

Amazon

Here's a brand known for making kitchen gadgets with smart design and attention to detail. The Oxo Good Grips nesting set with leakproof, locking-lid containers is no exception. The durable borosilicate glass is freezer- and oven-safe, so you can assemble things like lasagna or enchiladas in advance, bake them when you need, and stick the leftovers straight into the fridge. Try this set if you want to streamline prep, cook, and clean up.

Razab Homegoods Extra-Large Glass Food-Storage Containers (Set of Three)

Amazon

This three-container set is a good choice if you’re cooking for one or just need a few containers in varying sizes for storing leftovers. Available in 27, 40, and 70 ounces, these deep Razab containers are helpful for storing a pot of healthy soup or transporting something hefty like pasta or bean salad, as the airtight and watertight silicone sealed lids are super secure and leakproof.

Anchor Hocking TrueFit Bakeware Glass Casserole Dish With Cover and Lid

Amazon

All about serving up comfort food? This retro-style glass baking dish is nice for things like high-protein mac and cheese or chicken pot pie. Use the glass lid as needed when you’re baking or reheating in the oven, then swap it out for the BPA-free plastic and silicone lid for storing in the fridge or transporting.

Frego Plastic-Free Glass and Silicone Food Container

Amazon

You won’t have to worry about breakage if you’re on the clumsier side or transporting this two-cup container in your bag: The colorful, food-grade silicone sleeves keep the glass protected, while the dual-lock lid seals tight to prevent spillage. Just slip the sleeve off before sticking the container in the microwave or oven.

Weck Tulip Jars (Set of Six)

Williams Sonoma

If you're not into the boxy look of most storage containers, you might enjoy the classic styling of a canning jar. This set of stamped Weck jars (which are top sellers at Williams Sonoma) have been around European kitchens since the 1900s, used for food preservation and storage. Its rubber gaskets and latch lids keep contents airtight, and are pretty enough to leave on the table.

Sage Spoonfuls Tough Glass Tubs (Set of Six)

Target

As the name suggests, these Sage Spoonfuls containers are ideal for storing baby purees and little food servings, but even if you don’t have kids, they still come in handy for refrigerating small batches of homemade salad dressings, sauces, and dips, or for instances when you need to store half a leftover can of something—think coconut milk, pumpkin puree, tomato paste, or beans. Depending on your appetite, it even works for portioning out small individual to-go servings of soup, yogurt, or overnight oats.

Rubbermaid Plastic Storage Containers (Set of 30)

Amazon

If you need a lot—we're talking, a lot of storage containers (big family? batch cooking?) at a low price, Rubbermaid's set of 30 is under $40 and has more than 64,000 4.5-star reviews on Amazon. Made of BPA-free plastic (that's still microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe), the containers' lids snap together to free up space, and the pack includes a wide range of sizes (from half cup to nine cups).

Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Containers (Set of Seven)

Amazon

One happy shopper (of which there are more than 40,000 on Amazon) writes of their Rubbermaid Brilliance plastic food-storage containers: “They're super airtight, the plastic is crystal clear, and they've been through the wash a dozen times with no sign of wear or tear. We've put soup directly in them, frozen them, you name it.” This lightweight set of varying sizes is totally airtight, owing to its leakproof, locking lids, and there are built-in vents under the latches that resist splatters during microwaving.

Chef’s Path Airtight Storage Containers (Set of 14)

Amazon

Looking to organize your pantry? For an affordable price, it's hard to beat this top-selling set (which has more than 24,000 five-star reviews on Amazon) from Chef's Path. The airtight BPA-free plastic containers have four-sided locking lids, and the stackable set include large, long containers that are great for dry goods like spaghetti, flour, and sugar, as well as smaller containers for snacks, cereals, beans, tea, and more. Even more, this set also comes with reusable chalkboard labels, a marker, and a measuring spoon set.

Vtopmart Airtight Storage Containers (Set of Seven)

Amazon

Here's another set of plastic food-storage containers that's excellent for your essentials. These Vtopmarts have unique sealing mechanisms that lock with the flip of a ring, and the set includes 24 reusable labels (meaning you can change them whenever).

Fullstar Food Storage Containers (Set of 20)

Amazon

From snacks to salad dressings, this highly rated plastic food-storage container set will keep your food fresh with its airtight, hinged locking system and different sizes. The containers are, helpfully, freezer-safe (in case you prepare too much soup), and the bases are microwave-safe as well. When not in use, the containers conveniently nest (or stack, with lids on).

Rubbermaid Premier Food Storage Containers (Set of Six)

Amazon

“I chose these over glass containers and the Rubbermaid Brilliance because the crystal-clear tops are easier and faster to open and close for everyone—especially my eight-year-old,” writes one of the more than 15,000 Amazon shoppers who highly rated the Rubbermaid Premier set. They added that they love how neatly the different sized, shatterproof containers made of BPA-free plastic stack, as well as the variety of sizes (from 1.25 cups to 5 cups) that leave just enough room for leftovers without clogging up storage space when not in use. Handily, the containers are microwave-, dishwasher, and freezer-safe.

Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Food Storage Containers (Set of Five)

Amazon

Joseph Joseph is well-known for its colorful, attractive kitchen gear, and this plastic set is a cute option if you want to stock your cabinets with something cheerful. (Yep, the rainbow lids score points for prettiness.) Another thing that’s great about this vibrant five-piece set is that every vessel and lid is nestable. The containers can go in the oven, dishwasher, microwave, or freezer, and the snap lids fit snugly, with an airtight seal.

Oxo Pop Storage Containers (Set of 10)

Williams Sonoma

Though on the pricier end of the spectrum, Oxo Good Grips Pop containers are considered among the best plastic storage for shoppers looking to streamline. They're perhaps best known for their lids, which have silicone gaskets and satisfying one-push buttons that seal contents inside. With their rounded corners and stackable design, Oxos are must-haves for all of your dry goods.

Oxo Pop Container Baking Essentials (Set of Eight)

Williams Sonoma

In addition to its classic Pop containers, Oxo has a line of storage suited for bakers. The best-selling set of eight has curved corners that makes pouring simple and includes two scoops (for flour and sugar) as well as a container designed solely for preserving brown sugar, which, as any baker knows, goes stale way too fast.

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